Strive
v.hopeful, resilientformal
What it means
To apply sustained effort toward a demanding and worthwhile aim.
Reach for it when describing earnest pursuit without implying that effort guarantees the outcome
The cooperative will strive to make every repair affordable.
Choose between these
7- playful
try hard
when conversational honesty about effort is best
not when The phrase can sound childish and says little about duration.
- everyday
work toward
when steady progress deserves plain language
not when The phrase softens the exceptional exertion implied by strive.
- warm
when a hoped-for future standard motivates action
not when Aspiration concerns desire and direction, not the effort already applied.
- warm
press on
when continuing despite setbacks is the immediate action
not when Pressing on may ignore evidence that the route should change.
- professional
pursue
when following a goal through concrete actions is the point
not when Pursuit can be strategic without requiring strenuous effort.
- formal
when serious organized effort suits elevated prose
not when Endeavor can sound bureaucratic and may name an attempt rather than persistence.
- literary
labor
when prolonged difficult work deserves emphasis
not when Labor highlights burden and can obscure the chosen goal.
Said against
3- abandon
- surrender
- idle
It naturally appears in
3- strive for excellence
The team will strive for excellence without punishing honest questions.
- strive to improve
We strive to improve the service after every access review.
- continue to strive
They continue to strive for a settlement both villages can uphold.
Where this comes from
Strive is effort language, not a measurable commitment. Pair it with a concrete action or standard when accountability matters.
- wiktionary, English verb, make great efforts to achieve something sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.